This is one of the most important settings
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 4:22 am
1. Phone Number Visibility and Discoverability
"Who can see my phone number?" (Default: "My Contacts")
By default, only users whose phone numbers you have saved in your device's address book (and who also use Telegram) can see your phone number on your Telegram profile.
This means strangers, by default, cannot see your phone number simply by viewing your profile.
"Who can find me by my number?" (Default: "Everybody")
This setting dictates whether someone can find your Telegram profile by simply entering your phone number into Telegram's search bar.
By default, anyone who knows your phone number (even if they are not in your contacts) can type it into Telegram's search and find your profile.
Recommendation for enhanced privacy: It's often recommended to change this to "My Contacts" or even "Nobody" for maximum privacy.
2. Contact Syncing
This feature helps you find friends already on Telegram.
"Sync Contacts" (Default: ON, or prompted telegram number database during initial setup)
During the initial setup, Telegram will typically prompt you to allow access to your phone's address book. If you grant this permission, "Sync Contacts" is enabled by default.
This means Telegram uploads the phone numbers and names from your device's contacts to its servers to identify which of your contacts are also Telegram users.
"Suggested Contacts" (Default: ON)
This often goes hand-in-hand with syncing. Telegram might suggest contacts you can chat with based on your synced address book.
3. Group & Channel Invitations
This controls who can add you to chats.
"Who can see my phone number?" (Default: "My Contacts")
By default, only users whose phone numbers you have saved in your device's address book (and who also use Telegram) can see your phone number on your Telegram profile.
This means strangers, by default, cannot see your phone number simply by viewing your profile.
"Who can find me by my number?" (Default: "Everybody")
This setting dictates whether someone can find your Telegram profile by simply entering your phone number into Telegram's search bar.
By default, anyone who knows your phone number (even if they are not in your contacts) can type it into Telegram's search and find your profile.
Recommendation for enhanced privacy: It's often recommended to change this to "My Contacts" or even "Nobody" for maximum privacy.
2. Contact Syncing
This feature helps you find friends already on Telegram.
"Sync Contacts" (Default: ON, or prompted telegram number database during initial setup)
During the initial setup, Telegram will typically prompt you to allow access to your phone's address book. If you grant this permission, "Sync Contacts" is enabled by default.
This means Telegram uploads the phone numbers and names from your device's contacts to its servers to identify which of your contacts are also Telegram users.
"Suggested Contacts" (Default: ON)
This often goes hand-in-hand with syncing. Telegram might suggest contacts you can chat with based on your synced address book.
3. Group & Channel Invitations
This controls who can add you to chats.